The nearly 200 members Oak Harbor High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps earned recognition as one of the top units in an area that includes two countries and a territory.

Several members of the Oak Harbor detachment were on hand during Monday’s Oak Harbor School Board meeting to show off it’s “Pennant of Distinction,” given out for the first time by their area leaders. The unit, commonly known as NJROTC, is part of Area 13, which encompasses Washington, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Northern California, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and Japan.

“We hope you display it proudly and recognize that you have earned it through your hard work and dedication to citizenship,” D.L. Wenceslao said in a letter notifying the group of the award.

There are currently 186 members of the NJROTC group at the high school, which comprises more than 10 percent of enrollment. Naval Science Instructor Bill Thiel said Oak Harbor’s group is one of the largest in the state.

Thiel said the group is student led and focuses on the Navy ideals of honor, courage and commitment. The program emphasizes leadership and life skills. Members host the Northwest Leadership Academy in June and the Northwest Drill and Rifle Conference competition in the spring.